The Anambra State Government has ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week following the refusal of traders to open for business on Monday, in defiance of the state’s directive against the sit-at-home order linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Governor Chukwuma Soludo gave the directive after reports showed that many traders at the market, widely regarded as the largest in Africa by size and trading volume, failed to resume business despite repeated assurances by the government that security had improved across the state.
As a result, security operatives were deployed to seal all entry and exit points of the market, effectively shutting down activities until next Monday. The governor described the continued observance of the sit-at-home as “economic sabotage,” insisting that it was harming the state’s economy and worsening hardship for residents.
Soludo warned that the government would no longer tolerate what he termed deliberate disobedience of lawful directives, stressing that the sit-at-home order was not imposed by the state but by a proscribed group. He said allowing such actions to continue unchecked would undermine the authority of the government and cripple economic activities in Anambra.
According to the governor, the one-week shutdown is meant to serve as a deterrent, adding that any future violation could attract stiffer penalties, including longer market closures. He urged traders to cooperate with the government’s efforts to restore normal business activities and protect livelihoods.
The closure of the Onitsha Main Market has significant implications, as the market plays a critical role in commerce not only in Anambra State but across the South-East and West Africa. Thousands of traders, transporters, and daily wage earners depend on its operations for survival.
However, many traders say their reluctance to open on Mondays is driven by fear, citing past incidents of violence and attacks linked to sit-at-home enforcement. While acknowledging the government’s assurances, some traders argue that lingering insecurity makes it difficult for them to resume full operations without guarantees of sustained protection.
The development highlights the ongoing tension between the Anambra State Government’s push to return the state to normal economic life and the concerns of traders who remain wary of potential risks. As the shutdown takes effect, residents and business owners are watching closely to see whether the government’s hardline approach will finally end the sit-at-home practice or deepen resistance.
